# Nucor Steel. v. Dir.

> Court of Appeals of Arkansas · September 7, 2016 · 2016 Ark. App. 377

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/cases/4031725

## Case

- **Court:** Court of Appeals of Arkansas
- **Decided:** September 7, 2016
- **Citations:** 2016 Ark. App. 377
- **Precedential status:** Published
- **Opinion:** Opinion
- **Judges:** Raymond R. Abramson
- **Cited by:** 4 later opinions in the Frix Law Library

## Citator (automated)

- No negative treatment found by the automated citator. That is not the same as a confirmation that the case is good law; read the citing cases.
- Full citator and citing cases: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/cases/4031725

## Opinion text

Cite as 2016 Ark. App. 377

ARKANSAS COURT OF APPEALS
DIVISION III
No. E-16-154

NUCOR STEEL Opinion Delivered September 7, 2016
APPELLANT
APPEAL FROM THE ARKANSAS
V. BOARD OF REVIEW
[NO. 2016-BR-00139]

DIRECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF
WORKFORCE SERVICES, AND APPEAL DISMISSED
KEITH LEDBETTER
APPELLEES

RAYMOND R. ABRAMSON, Judge

Appellant Nucor Steel (“Nucor”), a corporation, appeals from the Arkansas Board of

Review’s March 10, 2016 decision, reversing the Appeal Tribunal and finding that the

claimant, Keith Ledbetter, was entitled to benefits because he was discharged from last work

for reasons other than misconduct. We dismiss due to lack of jurisdiction.

On April 24, 2016, Nucor filed its petition for appeal with this court. The petition was

signed by Kellie Crain, who is not a licensed attorney. It is well settled that corporations must

be represented by licensed attorneys. Smithco Invs. of W. Memphis, Inc. v. Morgan Keegan &

Co., 370 Ark. 477, 261 S.W.3d 454 (2007). Furthermore, our supreme court has held that

when a party not licensed to practice law in this state attempts to represent the interests of

others by submitting himself or herself to the jurisdiction of a court, those actions, such as the

filing of pleadings, are rendered a nullity. Id. Here, Crain is not an attorney and may not

represent Nucor in this case. Id. Our case law makes it clear that invoking the process of a
Cite as 2016 Ark. App. 377

court of law constitutes the practice of law. Stephens Prod. Co. v. Bennett, 2015 Ark. App. 617.

Because Crain was practicing law when she signed the petition, the petition is null and void.

Id. As a result, we lack jurisdiction and dismiss this appeal.

Appeal dismissed.

VIRDEN and GRUBER, JJ., agree.

No briefs filed.

2

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/cases/4031725. Public record. Not legal advice.